A Dorset man will kayak for twelve hours in Poole Harbour this month to raise money for the local disability charity Diverse Abilities.
Jon Gilbert will set off from Lake Pier and cover up to eighty kilometres in one day as part of his endurance challenge. His aim is to raise enough money to fund a nurse for one week, supporting children and adults with profound physical and learning disabilities.
Jon said his motivation came from his family’s long tradition of caring. He explained: “One of the reasons I’m supporting the amazing folk at Diverse Abilities is in memory of my lovely mum. She was an NHS nurse and carer well into her seventies, who is much loved and greatly missed. Caring runs in my family.”
He added that his sister, niece, nephew and other relatives also work in healthcare, and this family connection to caring will drive him on throughout the challenge.
Jon has previously supported fundraising events for Diverse Abilities but said he wanted to do more for the charity, which provides vital care and support to more than two thousand children, adults and their families across Dorset. He described visiting the Beehive, one of the charity’s services, and meeting the carers there as a key inspiration for his fundraising effort.
The charity, which operates in a challenging financial climate, relies on specialist nurses to provide essential support for those with complex medical needs. Without this specialist care, the level of support available to families would be reduced.
Jon’s fundraising target is £875, the cost of employing a nurse for a week. People can sponsor him through his JustGiving page or find out more about the work of Diverse Abilities online.
